WELLINGTON 2nd XI have opened up a 26-point lead at the top of the third division in the Somerset Cricket League after beating North Perrott away by 61 runs.

Put into bat, Wellington piled up 230-9 in their 40 overs with Ben Evett being bowled by Andrew Knight just two runs short of scoring a century. Charlie Burrough scored 37 and Aks Latifi 30. Nathan Trible took 2-57, Knight 2-30 and Dan White 2-45.

Perrott never seriously recovered from losing their first three wickets for eight runs and were eventually all out for 169 in 34.2 overs. Ollie Hunt took 3-21, Andy Hurry 2-25 and Alex Derbidge 2-20 as Wellington collected 35 points.

Second-placed Middlezoy lost by three runs in a thrilling match away to Minehead 3rd XI, who scored 253-5 and then restricted Middlezoy to 250-4 in their 40 overs.

Greg Howard (77) and Daniel Pawson (52) were Minehead’s main run-getters while Nathan Barnard (87) and Samuel Stoker (56) were Middlezoy’s top scorers, sharing in an opening stand of 154.

Both Wellington and Middlezoy have three matches remaining, while South Petherton are in third spot, and trail the second-placed side by 31 points.